Higher Education Administration Master Degrees

Those interested in a Master’s degree in Higher Education Administration want to go beyond teaching in a classroom; they want to shape the big picture of the college or university and affect change from the top down. An individual with a master’s in Higher Education Administration, will work administratively in post-secondary schools, and is involved with monitoring the success of college or university by working within the departments, the faculty of those departments, and the students within the department.

The degree type can go by several names. While many schools offer a Master of Education (M.Ed.), many schools may constructed the program as a Master of Arts (M.A.) or a Master of Science (M.S.). Regardless of the prefix, the degree itself can go by many names and have various specializations:

Higher Education

Educational Administration

Education with Specialization in Higher Education Administration

Educational Leadership, Administration & Supervision

Educational Leadership and Higher Education Administration

Obtaining a master’s in Higher Education Administration will allow graduates to participate and serve on a variety of levels, and in a variety of roles. Those specializing in General Administration may work within the college or university’s inner system, ensuring that all administrative functions are working seamlessly and efficiently. They may oversee financial aid, admissions, enrollment, university communication, as well as coordinating internal governance within the institution.

Those who would rather focus on the students may earn positions like Dean of Student Affairs, allowing them to oversee student activities, clubs, organizations, fraternities and sororities, campus events, campus dorms, and all issues that affect the health and vibrancy of the lives of students on their campus.

Some administrators may prefer working with and supporting the unique needs of the faculty and staff. These individuals might supervise the procurement and use of funding, assist the professors with finding grants, and supervise how these funds are spent. Together with the faculty and staff, they collaborate to better the health and effectiveness of the programs within the college or university and implement solutions that will benefit both the department and the university as a whole.

Getting a Master in Higher Education Administration isn’t merely about understanding the nuts and bolts that makes a college or university run smoothly. There is a rich history and philosophy that undergirds much of the organization. As Edmund Burke so famously said, “Those who do not know history are doomed to repeat it.” The educational landscape is constantly changing, and those that administrate over it must be aware of both the past and the present in order to avoid previous mistakes.

A master’s in Higher Education Administration is important because students will not only study what is currently working, but what has worked in the past, and as importantly, what has not worked. Knowing the history behind Higher Education Administration helps ensure that the graduate makes decisions based on the wisdom gleaned through historical trial and error.

As higher education continues to boom, skilled and knowledgeable individuals are needed to oversee the process. Will that be you? Move up the administrative ladder by earning your Higher Education master’s degree. Learn from the best, from wherever you are, by studying at one of these quality programs: The 25 Best Online Master in Higher Education Degree Programs!